Conscious Choice Seattle: Living Green

July 2005 | Living Green

Living Green

By Co-op America

Dear Co-op America,
I enjoy sewing and prefer to use eco-friendly fabrics. Can you help me find sources of hemp, hemp-blend and organic fabrics by the yard?
— Ann Byrd, e-mail

As you undoubtedly know, eco-fabrics are great for the Earth for multiple reasons. Conventional cotton farming uses tons of toxic pesticides, which are not employed when growing organic cotton. And hemp is sturdy plant that can be easily grown without pesticides. By choosing eco-fabrics, you’re most likely supporting small, family farmers or farmers’ cooperatives.

You can order fabric from companies like these—or ask your local store to stock their goods:

• The Moonbath Shop (www.moonbathshop.com) sells hemp, hemp-blend, and organic cotton fabrics.
• Heart of Vermont (802-476-3098, www.heartofvermont.com) offers organic cotton fabrics in a variety of textures.
• If you’re into interior decorating, GreenSage.com and Furniture (800-326-4895, www.furniture.com) sell fabric for upholstery and window treatments in organic cotton. www.GreenSage.com also offers hemp, hemp-blend and other natural fibers.
• If you need fabrics for formal wear, Organicweddings.com (617-367-1807) offers beautiful hemp, hemp-silk blends and silk fabrics.
• NearSea Naturals (877-573-2913, www.nearseanaturals.com) specializes in organic cotton, organic wool, and hemp-wool blend fabric and notions.
• Organic Cotton Plus (866-784-0374, www.organiccottonplus.com) lives up to its name with a variety of colors and textures.
• Find plenty of hemp and hemp-blend fabrics at Earth Friendly Goods (877-447-1521, www.earthfriendlygoods.com).
• Wildrose Farm Organics (218-562-4864, www.wildrosefarm.com) not only offers organic cotton, but also fleece made from recycled soda bottles.

Dear Co-op America,
We’re seniors who are interested in taking a volunteer vacation especially for older folks. Do you know of any organizations that could help us out?
—Lois and John in Springfield, Il.

You might want to check out the organization Elderhostel. Started 30 years ago, Elderhostel (877-426-8056) offers educational adventures especially for people 55 and older, with destinations in all 50 states and more than 90 countries. These vacations are priced as low as $500 (including lodging and meals) for a weeklong experience.

You two might be most interested in Elderhostel’s service programs, which allow you to serve the needs of a community, from protecting endangered species to helping build affordable housing. Options this summer include a trip to the Ozarks to research heirloom vegetables and work in community gardens, or a week in Belize studying the ecological needs of bottlenose dolphins.

If you want to explore North America, you can take an education-based Elderhostel trip to delve into American history and culture. Some examples: journeying along Lewis and Clark’s expedition route, visiting Civil War battlefields, or touring New England’s coast to learn about maritime traditions.

If you want your grandchildren, nieces, nephews or other young family members to join you on an educational adventure, consider an Elderhostel intergenerational tour. Options this summer include a bicycle tour across Arizona to learn about native cultures and traditional crafts classes in the mountains of West Virginia.

For the more physically active seniors, Elderhostel’s outdoor vacation options include hiking, kayaking, biking, and more, in locations from the Netherlands to Borneo. And its Adventures Afloat tours combine learning with vacation, onboard boats in the Mississippi River, the Aegean Sea, the Antarctic waters and more.

Whatever you choose, enjoy your trip.

Living Green is brought to you by Co-op America, a national nonprofit that provides green living, purchasing and investing tips, and resources. To join Co-op America and get a free copy of the National Green Pages™ directory of green businesses, call 800-58-GREEN, www.coopamerica.org.

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